What do you call the set of beliefs and ideas that shape an individuals or a groups views actions and interactions with the world?
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December 18, 2012 | Dr. Lisa D. Belfield Show What language do you speak? What is your religion? What holidays do you celebrate? What is your racial identification? What is your ethnic identity? What is your culture? Culture is that which shapes us; it shapes our identity and influences our behavior. Culture is our “way of being,” more specifically, it refers to the shared language, beliefs, values, norms, behaviors, and material objects that are passed down from one generation to the next.1 According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the 2009 population in America was:
Each race encompasses a multitude of different ethnic groups. An ethnic group refers to people who are closely related to each other through characteristics such as culture, language, and religion.3 There are many ethnic groups in the United States, due in large part to its immigrant population; each of these groups contributes to America’s cultural heritage. From African Americans to Russian Americans, the United States is one of the most diverse nations in terms of culture. What does it mean to be “culturally diverse”? The term “culturally diverse” is often used interchangeably with the concept of “multiculturalism.” Multiculturalism is defined as: “…a system of beliefs and behaviors that recognizes and respects the presence of all diverse groups in an organization or society, acknowledges and values their socio-cultural differences, and encourages and enables their continued contribution within an inclusive cultural context which empowers all within the organization or society.4 Sociologist Dr. Caleb Rosado, who specializes in diversity and multiculturalism, described seven important actions involved in the definition of multiculturalism:5
Why is cultural diversity a “good thing”? Culture is the lens with which we evaluate everything around us; we evaluate what is proper or improper, normal or abnormal, through our culture. If we are immersed in a culture that is unlike our own we may experience culture shock and become disoriented when we come into contact with a fundamentally different culture. People naturally use their own culture as the standard to judge other cultures; however, passing judgment could reach a level where people begin to discriminate against others whose “ways of being” are different than their own—essentially, we tend to fear that which we do not understand. Cultural diversity is important because our country, workplaces, and schools increasingly consist of various cultural, racial, and ethnic groups. We can learn from one another, but first we must have a level of understanding about each other in order to facilitate collaboration and cooperation. Learning about other cultures helps us understand different perspectives within the world in which we live, and helps dispel negative stereotypes and personal biases about different groups. In addition, cultural diversity helps us recognize and respect “ways of being” that are not necessarily our own, so that as we interact with others we can build bridges to trust, respect, and understanding across cultures. Furthermore, this diversity makes our country a more interesting place to live, as people from diverse cultures contribute language skills, new ways of thinking, new knowledge, and different experiences. How can you support cultural diversity?
Cultural diversity supports the idea that every person can make a unique and positive contribution to the larger society because of, rather than in spite of, their differences. Imagine a place where diversity is recognized and respected; various cultural ideas are acknowledged and valued; contributions from all groups are encouraged; people are empowered to achieve their full potential; and differences are celebrated. “Diversity is the one true thing we have in common. About the Author Dr. Lisa D. Belfield is an adjunct professor in the Purdue Global Human Services Department. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Mansfield University, a master’s degree in social relations from Lehigh University, and a doctorate degree in educational leadership from Wilmington University. In addition to teaching, she works as a methodologist and content expert on doctoral study committees, and is an education research consultant for LeadingEd Consultant Network. She has worked at organizations and institutions in positions which focused on behavior modification and therapeutic support, social welfare, college admissions, and education research. Dr. Belfield’s current research interests include: self-efficacy; the mentor-mentee relationship in higher education; and the impact of multiple social identities (race, gender, social class) on personal, social, academic, and career functioning. Dr. Belfield continues to have valuable experiences, lifelong mentors, and friendships that have made her personal and professional life quite meaningful and fulfilling. As a professor, she enjoys engaging students in taking a critical look at the world in which they thrive, and encourages them to see themselves as lifelong learners in an intellectual arena. One of her favorite quotes is, “Change is inevitable; growth is optional.” She encourages everyone to choose the option to grow. What do you call the set of beliefs and ideas that shape an individual's or a group's views actions and interactions with the world?Culture is the beliefs, values, mind-sets, and practices of a specific group of people. It includes the behavior pattern and norms of a specific group—the rules, the assumptions, the perceptions, and the logic and reasoning that are specific to a group.
What does it mean to shape culture?Everyone in an organization has a role in helping to shape its culture. Consciously creating a desired culture is about aligning the expressions of culture (vision, mission, values, and everyday habits) with the work of the organization to create the story you want shared.
What is belief in culture?Cultural beliefs are the ideas and thoughts common to several individuals that govern interaction-between these people, and between them, their gods, and other groups-and differ from knowledge in that they are not empirically discovered or analytically proved.
What is culture and values?Values guide decision-making and a sense of what's important and what's right. Culture is the collection of business practices, processes, and interactions that make up the work environment.
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